LOS ANGELES — Midway through the second period Saturday, Kevin Fiala swept in a backhand shot for his 30th goal of the season to reach that milestone for the second time in his career and the first since joining the Los Angeles Kings.
That broke the ice for the Kings, who went on to a workmanlike 3-0 victory over the banged-up Edmonton Oilers as both moved toward a fourth straight tussle in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Kings are now officially in with the Calgary Flames’ loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in overtime.
The goal for Fiala was his 82nd in three regular seasons with Los Angeles after the Kings traded then-defense prospect Brock Faber and a first-round pick to the Minnesota Wild for the mercurial winger. Faber has become a right-shooting stud on the Wild blue line, but it’s not as if the 28-year-old Fiala hasn’t produced in a Kings sweater.
In his first season, Fiala was a point-per-game player, but injuries kept him out of 13 contests. He’d play in all 82 games last season, and though his point-per-game average dropped from 1.04 to 0.89, he still finished second on the Kings in goals (29) and points (73). As he got his 30th goal Saturday, Fiala turned to hug Alex Laferriere and celebrate a moment he’d savor later in the Kings’ dressing room.
“I was actually scared it was offside,” Fiala said. “No, obviously I’m very happy to hit 30. It’s been a great feeling, but with that, we have more goals ahead of us. You know what I mean?”
Whether that’s a signature moment depends on one’s viewpoint, but it’s not just about scoring goals for Fiala, whose 206 tallies across 11 seasons (nine of them full time) with the Nashville Predators, Minnesota and Los Angeles show the kind of offensive talent he is. It’s about his full body of work and a postseason bio that’s not been particularly sparkling for the winger or the Kings. His comment touched on what matters for both in these upcoming weeks.
The Kings extended their record-breaking performance at Crypto.com Arena with a 29th victory in 37 home games, and suddenly they’ve got a shot at overtaking the first-place Golden Knights to steal away the Pacific Division and toss around anticipated opening-round matchups. Even if the Golden Knights hold on, the Kings continue to get the job done mainly with stingy defense and leak-free goaltending from Darcy Kuemper. Kuemper, who’d be in the Vezina Trophy conversation in most other years, got his fifth shutout and lowered his goals-against average to 2.01 in getting his 28th victory.
3️⃣0️⃣ big ones for 2️⃣2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/6lZWwaF2Rm
— LA Kings (@LAKings) April 5, 2025
Saturday’s triumph marked the third win streak of four games or more for the Kings in a monthlong span, a stretch in which they’ve gone 13-3-0. The latest shouldn’t be categorized as the playoff preview it might have been as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were in the bowels of the arena instead of on the ice as their teammates were being shut down. The two superstars are dealing with injuries, and though they are projected to return ahead of the first round, they likely will be less than 100 percent.
It was an easier task, and the Kings knew it. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman are fine players who have had huge seasons in the past, but they’re not McDavid and Draisaitl in any universe. And that showed for the Oilers, who were further short-handed without top shutdown defenseman Mattias Ekholm and starting goalie Stuart Skinner.
“You got to take it for what it is,” Laferriere said. “They have some key parts out of their lineup right now, but you never know what’s going to happen in playoffs, too. Those guys could be bumped up and not be able to play in some of those games. I think for us, it was just about showing our best. Kind of going out and not giving them much. Just take it for what it is.”
Even with McDavid and Draisaitl — the latter’s absence only strengthening his Hart Trophy candidacy — this Oilers club looks like the most vulnerable one the Kings could face in a fourth try to take it down. They’ll need Fiala to be a factor as he was Saturday. The Kings might have the best version of the winger going right now.
It’s been a long and bumpy road to this place. Fiala’s offensive ability is undeniable. But what’s come with that in his NHL stops is the occasional tendency to do things outside the team structure and take momentum-changing penalties, usually in the offensive zone. That’s happened at times during his three seasons in L.A.
The start of this one wasn’t good. He had seven goals in his first 13 games and bumped that to 15 goals by season’s midpoint, but his overall game was far from complete. Consecutive two-goal games against the Carolina Hurricanes and the Montreal Canadiens before the 4 Nations break became a spark to a much better second half. His point total is down — it’s possible he won’t reach 60 after seasons of 85, 72 and 73 — but he’s got 17 in 23 games since the 4 Nations tournament.
More importantly, Fiala is leaving Kings coach Jim Hiller satisfied much more often than not. He said, “it wasn’t a straight line from January, trust me.”
“Season’s probably aged both him and I, to be honest with you,” Hiller said. “I think it’s aged him. I hope it’s aged us both in a good way. I’m going to say over the last week, he’s played as well as I’ve seen him play. We’ve got a ways to go, but if you notice the backchecking, lifting sticks, forechecking, track somebody down the other night, stolen pucks — beyond the 30 goals, and I’m really happy for him because he hasn’t had the best season and he’s sitting there with 30 goals. That’s not easy to do.
“But right now, the way he’s playing, couldn’t be happier.”
In a postgame chat with The Athletic, Fiala assessed his year and how he’s grown.
“It was obviously up and down, but I think I’m stronger than ever right now,” he said. “That’s the way I want it. You remember how you finish. Not how you start. I’m happy where I’m at right now, but you know, a long ways to go still. Yeah, very excited for what’s coming.”
Playing a part in Fiala’s strong play has been chemistry with Laferriere and Quinton Byfield as their center. Finding linemates who can play with Fiala and vice versa hasn’t been easy for the Kings, but this could be the unit that gives them a separating element in a playoff series. They’ve got to be noticeable — and get on the scoresheet.
They did Saturday. And it was the kind of goal that’s more likely to be scored in the playoffs. After Fiala charged into the Edmonton zone with the puck, Laferriere got it and took a shot toward Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard. The ensuing pinball of a rebound struck Fiala, who stayed on the play and planted himself at the Edmonton goal crease. A dirty goal created through persistent work, not just great skill.
“I think that just shows it’s kind of the growth in his game as well,” Laferriere said. “I think when he came here, he just kind of liked to dangle guys. Now I think he’s put such another element to his game. Grinds down low and makes hard plays. Backchecks hard. And I think that’s just such a testament to him. He’s really rounded out his game and he’s an unbelievable player.”
Laferriere said Fiala has had a positive impact on him, being someone who’s taken the youngster under his wing and counseled him through times when his own game wasn’t where he wanted it to be. And he’s learned from Fiala. “Yeah, I think he didn’t have the start that he wanted to the year, but kind of just the mental fortitude that he had to kind of stick with it and know that it was going to turn around there,” Laferriere said.
Afterward, Hiller said no player is ever a finished product. But in Fiala, the coach feels like his game and the way the Kings play hockey have never been more compatible than now. “I’ll be honest with you, he wanted to change the narrative around himself,” Hiller said.
Fiala is having fun. So are the Kings. He said their postgame photos after wins truly reflect their bond. “We love each other,” he said. “It’s been a fun year so far, but we have to keep going.”
Another narrative must be changed. But after three straight first-round exits, this might be the team to do it.
“I think everybody is a difference,” Fiala said. “Every line, every D-pair. Both goalies. Everybody has to (make) a difference. Obviously, I believe we are a difference, our line. We can be a difference. We just have to keep the speed (we play at), keep having the puck. Don’t give it away. Just have confidence with the puck and drive to the net.
“The net is the magnet. If we do that like we have done now, we’re going to be hopefully successful.”
(Photo: Robert Hanashiro / Imagn Images)